Introduction:Luckin Coffee’s third collaboration with the classic animated IP 《Tom and Jerry》 introduced a “face-swapping pen.” Though its press-to-change-face design initially attracted consumers, many found that the character images inside the pen’s window quickly peeled, scratched, or faded after just a few uses. Quality control issues sparked widespread dissatisfaction. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the face-swapping pen’s journey from bestseller to letdown, compiles real consumer feedback and solutions, and explores the ongoing quality concerns surrounding Luckin’s branded merchandise—helping readers avoid similar shopping pitfalls.
Recently, Luckin Coffee teamed up with the iconic animated series 《Tom and Jerry》 to launch a New Zealand Fresh Milk Latte along with a range of limited-edition merchandise. Among them, the “face-swapping pen” quickly became a focal point of the market thanks to its unique press-to-switch design. The pen’s gimmick lies in its internal rotating mechanism: each press of the cap rotates the display window inside the barrel to show different characters’ faces—like Tom and Jerry—adding a fun twist that appealed strongly to adult consumers upon release.
However, many users were left deeply disappointed after actual use.Most customers reported that after just a few presses, the printed character faces inside the pen’s window began to peel, become blotchy, or even disappear entirely.This quality issue quickly sparked heated discussions on social media platforms, with many users posting before-and-after comparison photos, pointing out the concerning durability—or lack thereof—of the face-swapping pen.
The problem wasn’t limited to isolated cases. Some customers noted,that even upon first receiving the pen, they observed poor clarity in the printed graphics, and that the internal parts rubbed against each other when pressed—likely the main reason behind the rapid wear of the designs.Even attempting an in-store exchange didn’t resolve the issue, as the replacement pens also showed signs of graphic peeling after minimal use, leaving many customers frustrated.
On social platforms, negative reviews about the face-swapping pen abounded. Some users bluntly stated, “Paid 40 today, received it and was so disappointed,” “Truly not great,” or “The most not-worth-it merchandise,” expressing strong dissatisfaction with the quality of this collaborative product. Even long-time Luckin customers who had previously looked forward to the brand’s collaborations began to question the overall quality control of its branded goods after this experience.
Faced with the issue of easily worn graphics on the face-swapping pen, some consumers demonstrated remarkable creativity and hands-on ingenuity.One user opted to disassemble the pen themselves, carefully removing the graphic components and securing them with transparent tape or cling film—successfully extending the lifespan of the designs.This DIY protective method effectively prevented further wear without affecting the pen’s normal writing function, and related posts earned considerable praise online.
This face-swapping pen quality mishap once again highlights that beyond creative design, quality management is crucial for collaborative merchandise. For consumers, when considering similar limited-edition or co-branded products, it’s advisable to carefully review other users’ real-world feedback and understand potential durability issues in advance—to avoid paying premium prices for only fleeting enjoyment.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
